Civil rights group seeks reinstatement, independent investigation, preservation of evidence, staff training after Muslim Arab member allegedly faced harassment, threats, retaliation
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it has called on Life Time Fitness to investigate and take corrective action after a longtime Muslim Arab member of its Columbia, Maryland, location allegedly faced discrimination, harassment, body-shaming, threats of violence, retaliation, and a reported failure by staff to protect his safety.
In a letter sent to Life Time Fitness leadership, CAIR Maryland said it is advocating on behalf of a client who reported that he has been a Life Time member for nearly two decades and viewed the facility as “more than a gym,” but as a community and second home for him and his family.
The advocacy client repeatedly raised concerns about staff and member misconduct before the situation allegedly escalated into explicit anti-Muslim and anti-Arab remarks and threats.
According to the advocacy client, on or about Nov. 2, 2025, while he was inside the Columbia facility, one member allegedly stated words to the effect of: “We don’t want Muslims, Arabs, or people from the Middle East here. Go back to Africa.” Shortly afterward, another member allegedly approached him aggressively and stated words to the effect of: “Do you know who I am? We’re going to jump you here.”
CAIR Maryland said the allegations, if substantiated, raise serious concerns of discrimination based on religion and national origin, a hostile environment, failure to act after notice, failure to protect member safety, retaliatory suspension, and possible confidentiality breaches and conflicts of interest in an investigation controlled by local staff.
“We are troubled by allegations that a Muslim Arab resident who had been a loyal member of Life Time for nearly eighteen years was allegedly subjected to anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hostility and threats of violence, and later suspended after reporting what happened,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “No person should have to fear harassment or physical threats while trying to exercise at a gym. CAIR calls on Life Time to act swiftly and transparently to ensure he and his family are treated with dignity and that all members are protected from discrimination.”
CAIR Maryland is calling on Life Time Fitness to immediately reinstate its advocacy client and his family unless it can provide a legitimate, documented, non-retaliatory safety basis for any restriction; refund or credit fees charged during any suspension period; preserve surveillance footage and internal records; conduct an independent corporate-level investigation outside the Columbia location; and provide a written explanation for the suspension.
The civil rights organization is also urging Life Time to issue a written anti-retaliation directive, take appropriate disciplinary action if staff or members are found to have engaged in discriminatory or threatening conduct, and provide training for Columbia location staff, coaches, trainers, managers, and front desk personnel on anti-Muslim bias, anti-Arab discrimination, harassment prevention, member safety, threat response, confidential complaint handling, and respectful treatment of members of all backgrounds.
“Gyms and fitness centers are places of public accommodation,” Chaudry added. “Members pay for access not only to equipment and services, but to a safe and welcoming environment. Life Time’s response will send an important message about whether Muslim, Arab, Middle Eastern, and other minority members can trust that their complaints will be taken seriously rather than punished.”
CAIR Maryland has requested a written response from Life Time within ten business days.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com From: Zainab Chaudry <zchaudry@cair.com>